All Posts

Aimee Francaes holding tongs with a steak on the grill
Community HerStory Sustainability

Tales from the Belly of the Beast – An Interview with Aimee Francaes

0Comments

Aimee Francaes and her husband designed a restaurant like no other — locally sourced ingredients prepared, butchered, and preserved in house, a comprehensive accommodation of those with food allergies, and a staff so well-trained that everyone can feel safe that their needs will be met. Oh, and the food is amazing.   When a friend heard I was going to celebrate women who are making history in food and beverage for Women’s History Month, Aimee Francaes immediately sprang to mind. Aimee and the love of her life, Jesse Hassinger opened Belly of the Beast almost three years ago with a…

Read more

black woman in orange sweater with her hands on her heart self care
Health & Wellness

Heart Health Care Starts with Self Care

0Comments

It may seem daunting, but the path to better heart health starts with figuring out exactly what their stressors — and de-stressors, may be. Three facts got me thinking: Heart disease is the #1 cause of death for women The meetings industry tends to be pretty female-centric Stress, which is endemic to meeting planning, also is a factor in coronary disease So how can meeting professionals in general, and women specifically, become more protective and proactive about their own heart health? During our conversation about heart-healthy food and beverage practices, I segued into asking Stefanie Sacks if she had any…

Read more

Business people eating dinner at private event special diets
Dietary Needs

Top 10 Ways to Advocate for People with Special Diets

0Comments

Ensuring a safe meal boils down to the importance of communication and advocating for guests with special diets. Creating and delivering memorable events is the plan. But, if an attendee becomes ill due or food poisoning or a meal being contaminated with listeria, the likelihood of return engagement evaporates. Food safety aside, another way attendees can become ill is by being served a meal unsafe or inappropriate for their health condition. Equally concerning is serving a dish which contradicts a religious belief system or health choice. Food allergies, celiac disease, and diabetes are a few health conditions that require personalized…

Read more

healthy breakfast fruit, coffee, croissant, oatmeal, heart-healthy
Health & Wellness

Time to Get to the Heart of Healthy F&B

0Comments

Some expert tips on how to bring your meeting’s food and beverage offerings more in line with good cardiac practices. February is National Heart Health month, and what better way to celebrate than to share ways you can make your conference part of the solution for preventing heart disease? You can do this by getting people moving regularly, whether that means offering formal exercise options or arranging to provide lots of breaks to get them out of their seats regularly. You also could encourage a healthy dose of sleep by minimizing late night partying options when you have early morning…

Read more